The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) will meet with representatives from various political powers to discuss the reservations the latter have expressed over proposed parliamentary laws, the government said on Friday.
In July, the SCAF issued a law to organize parliamentary elections and another law demarcating constituencies, both of which came under fire.
Under the proposed laws, half of the members of parliament are to be elected using the list-based system and the other half using the single-winner system, even though political powers are calling for the exclusive use of the list-based candidacy system.
Observers believe the new distribution of electoral constituencies – which expanded the geographical size of constituencies – would isolate candidates from a large portion of their electorates, double the funds needed for electoral campaigns, and reduce the chances of younger candidates.
Minister of Information Osama Heikal announced the news on Al-Hayat satellite channel, saying the dialogue will take place on Sunday and is intended to reach an agreement on the details of electoral laws.
Heikal added that the SCAF will endorse the results of the meeting.
Judges from the Supreme Constitutional Court will attend to ensure the agreement reached does not violate the constitution, he said, confirming that the meeting is a response to the reservations expressed by political powers.
He did not specify where the meeting will take place or which political forces be invited.
Many fear that the new laws would lead to an election controlled by clan ties and by members of the now dissolved National Democratic Party.
